Public has a chance to debate pool closure Thursday at Quality of Life meeting

Ridgecrest residents will have a chance to weigh in on discussions regarding Pinney Pool and proposed cuts to city's Parks and Recreation department at the Quality of Life Committee meeting Thursday at the Kerr McGee Center.

Comment

By Jack Barnwelljbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Ridgecrest Daily Independent - Ridgecrest, CA

By Jack Barnwelljbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Apr. 9, 2013 at 12:50 PM
Updated Apr 9, 2013 at 12:51 PM

By Jack Barnwelljbarnwell@ridgecrestca.com

Posted Apr 9, 2013 at 12:50 PM
Updated Apr 9, 2013 at 12:51 PM

Ridgecrest residents will have a chance to weigh in on discussions regarding Pinney Pool and proposed cuts to city's Parks and Recreation department at the Quality of Life Committee meeting Thursday at the Kerr McGee Center.

One of the big items on the committee’s agenda includes the discussion to close Sgt. Pinney Pool in order to meet the council's direction to Parks and Recreation to cut $200,000 from its 2013-14 fiscal year budget.

Parks and Recreation Director Jim Ponek had recommended proposed two budget solutions at the February Quality of Life meeting, both of which included closing the community pool permanently.

The reasoning was that the facility was old, given its aging infrastructure and the cost to rehabilitate it.

According to Ponek, Pinney Pool was built in 1974 and would at most see two more seasons before it required a costly overhaul the city could not afford.

Foregoing any decision to close the pool, the committee will also discuss rehab options for the pool, including costs and other possibilities.

Public reaction to the suggestion of closing the pool has been met with sharp opposition from several sectors of the community, including a strong aquatics and swimming base that utilize the facility.

Many voiced that opposition at the April 3 council meeting during public comment, with Mayor Pro Tem Jason Patin cautioning the public that no decision had been made yet.

However, Patin also pointed out he was opposed to any parks and recreation budget plan that did not include keeping the pool open.

Old business, same budget dilemma

The committee agenda items include an update on the Park and Recreation Department's goals for Leroy Jackson Park.

According to the agenda, parks and recreation staff will discuss with the committee the option to end the city's lease of the Jackson Sports Complex with the County of Kern.

Ridgecrest currently leases the facility from the county.

Ponek had initially recommended that his department's preferred option in a bid to cut $200,000 from his budget would include completely taking over Jackson Park from the county.

Failing that option, the alternative option would be to turn leasing of the sports complex back over to the Kern County Park Department, which would only maintain the facilities. Kern County does not maintain a recreation program.

The committee will also discuss the Viewfienders Grand Prix event on Oct. 5-6. In the past Desert Empire Fairgrounds has hosted the event in the past on a motor track leased from the city. The fairgrounds returned control of the track to the city at the beginning of January for budgetary reasons.

However, the Viewfinders are planning to move ahead with plans for its event Oct. 5-6.

The committee meeting will be in the Kerr McGee Center's meeting rooms on April 11 at 5 p.m.